PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 17 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: February 19, 2004 File No. 333-109793
(To Prospectus dated November 17, 2003,
and Prospectus Supplement dated November 17, 2003)
$10,668,950,162
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
Medium-Term Notes, Series B
Principal Amount: $214,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [x] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: 3/1/2004 Fixed Rate Notes [ ] Certificated Notes [ ]
Maturity Date: 2/15/2007 CUSIP#: 073928E41
Option to Extend Maturity: No [x]
Yes [ ] Final Maturity Date:
Optional Optional
Redemption Repayment Repayment
Redeemable On Price(s) Date(s) Price(s)
------------- -------------- ------------- -----------
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Applicable Only to Fixed Rate Notes:
------------------------------------
Interest Rate:
Interest Payment Dates:
Applicable Only to Floating Rate Notes:
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Interest Rate Basis: Maximum Interest Rate: N/A
[ ] Commercial Paper Rate Minimum Interest Rate: N/A
[ ] Federal Funds Effective Rate
[ ] Federal Funds Open Rate Interest Reset Date(s): *
[ ] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period: Quarterly
[ ] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): **
[x] LIBOR Telerate
[ ] Prime Rate
[ ] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: 1.26% Interest Payment Period: Quarterly
Index Maturity: Three Months
Spread (plus or minus): +0.14%
* Commencing May 15, 2004 and on the 15th of each August, November, February
and May thereafter prior to Maturity.
** Commencing May 15, 2004 and on the 15th of each August, November, February
and May thereafter, including the maturity date.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.